07KUWAIT305

VZCZCXR04346
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHKU #0305 0621522
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 031522Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT

TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8419

INFO RUEHZM/ GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 1758

RUE HGB / AMEMBAS S Y BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0818

RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 1022

RUE HLO /AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1363

RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY

RUEHKU/ OMC-K KUWAIT KU PRIORITY

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000305

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AIAG, NEA/ARP, NEA/RA
CAIRO FOR LINDA LOGAN

E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: AMED CASC KFLU TBIO KU

SUBJECT: AVIAN FLU SITREP NO. 3: 7 NEW CASES REPORTED;

LIMITED CULLING; TEAMS DISINFECTING POULTRY FARMS

REF: A. KUWAIT 295

IB. KUWAIT 285

1_1 . The total number of confirmed cases in Kuwaiti birds is
up to 46 as of 1200 GMT on March 3. The new cases, two
identified on March 1 and five on March 2, included chickens,
falcons, and quail. There have still been no cases
identified on commercial farms. Bans on the import and
selling of live birds remain in force. Tests of a total of
103 people who were in close contact with infected birds have
all come back negative.

1.2. Ministry of Health Spokesman Ahmad Al-Shatti announced on
March 2 that the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs
and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) had dispatched 45 health teams to
disinfect and fumigate all poultry farms to prevent the
spread of the virus. On 28 February, the PAAAFR announced
that it had culled and buried 700 pigeons at a farm in the
agricultural town of Wafra, where previous cases of bird flu
were detected. Al-Shatti said that the Government had culled
thousands of birds since the outbreak began, but did not give
a precise figure.

1.3. Al-Shatti also announced on 28 February that Kuwait
possessed 10 million capsules of Tamiflu, which could cover
at least 40 per cent of Kuwait's population. In previous
remarks, Al-Shatti had claimed that there were 5 million
capsules, and Director of Public Health Dr. Ali Al-Seif had
said that there was enough Tamiflu for the entire population.

14. Post issued a warden message on February 28 to inform the
American community of the scope of the outbreak and to
recommend precautions in accordance with CDC and WHO
guidance. Response to the warden notice has been limited -
Embassy received only three calls in three days. Callers
asked about precautions and inquired as to whether the
Embassy could administer Tamiflu. Post Medical Officer
responded that the Embassy did not intend to issue the drug

to the American population, but the Government of Kuwait had
a pandemic flu plan and a stockpile of Tamiflu which it could
issue to the general population in the event of a major
outbreak. She also encouraged Amcits to ask their employers
about their own pandemic flu plans.

15. Post has tried for the last three days to establish
direct contact with PAAAFR to no avail. Until he is able to
speak directly with PAAAFR officials to confirm that there
have been no appearances of the virus on commercial farms.

ARCENT Medical Officer does not intend to lift the temporary
suspension on the purchase of eggs from Kuwaiti farms.

T_6 . Embassy has still received no reports of new restrictions
at Kuwait's borders or any disruption to military logistics
flows between Kuwait and Iraq.

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For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
http : //www. state . sgov . gov/p /nea/kuwait/ ? cable s

Visit Kuwait's Classified Website:
http : //www. state . sgov . gov/p/nea/kuwait/

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LeBaron